Latest news with #CarolHaganMcEntee
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
A bottle bill deserves to pass the R.I. General Assembly. Here's why beverage brands think so.
Bottles and cans to be redeemed at a recycling center in New York City are shown. (Photo by) Rhode Island has a major opportunity to modernize and reform its recycling system with two common-sense bills currently before the legislature. H6207 sponsored by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, a South Kingstown Democrat, and S 996, sponsored by Sen. Mark McKenney, a Warwick Democrat, would establish a modern Deposit Return System – a.k.a. 'A bottle bill' – and Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for packaging. EPR essentially requires producers of packaging to fund a program for collecting and recycling discarded packaging to help minimize their environmental impact. Together, these proven policies would reduce litter, cut costs for the consumer, and build a cleaner environment. As the legislative debate continues, it's clear that momentum is growing for recycling reform — not just among environmental advocates and local leaders, but within the private sector as well. Environmental champions like Save the Bay and Clean Water Action strongly support these initiatives. And you might be surprised to learn that the beverage industry does too. Many beverage companies see a combined bottle bill and EPR system as a smart, forward-looking solution to address flaws with the way we handle recycling. Rhode Island's recycling rate is stuck at just 26%. In Providence, it's worse — recycling rates hover in the single digits, and nearly 650 pounds of recyclables per household are rejected each year due to contamination. That adds up to over 121,000 tons of collected recyclable material per year that the city pays $1.14 million to dispose of in the Central Landfill in Johnston, which is projected to run out of room in about 20 years. This represents both wasted resources and missed economic opportunity. We can — and must — do better. Leading beverage companies who are part of the Coalition for High Performance Recycling (CHPR) agree. A growing number of beverage companies are publicly endorsing recycling reform in Rhode Island. These companies understand there's a clear business case for the industry to support and fund improved recycling systems. A reliable, domestic supply of recycled materials is essential for both short- and long-term success. Brands can no longer rely on volatile global markets, unstable geopolitics, or imported raw materials to meet their production needs. Companies need a steady, local stream of recycled material — so that each can and bottle can be recycled into new cans and bottles. Who belongs to CHPR ? Primo Brands — whose trusted brands include Poland Spring and Saratoga. Other participating beverage and bottling companies are Diageo North America,whose brands include Guinness and Johnnie Walker New Belgium Brewing Company; Niagara Bottling; and Red Bull. As Primo Brands recently testified at the Rhode Island State House in support of a modern bottle bill and EPR, 'we need a greater supply of recycled materials, and we need it to be domestic.' A growing number of beverage companies are publicly endorsing recycling reform in Rhode Island. These companies understand there's a clear business case for the industry to support and fund improved recycling systems. The current domestic recycling system doesn't get the job done. One reason is that curbside recyclables are lumped into one single, albeit convenient, system. That inevitably leads to contamination, which reduces the value of the recycled products and the ability to turn them into food grade material. Another problem is that people are not sufficiently educated and incentivized to recycle. A modern bottle bill with an extended producer responsibility policy together provides an environmental improvement strategy and improves consumer education and recycling. Plus, they're smart, complementary business strategies that support stable, domestic supply chains that produce higher-quality recycled materials and help keep costs down for the consumer. Rhode Island can become a national model for high-performance recycling. By passing H6207 and S996 — a modern bottle bill plus EPR — the state can significantly reduce litter, pollution, and waste, protect its natural beauty and resources, and create a more circular, resilient, and sustainable economy and environment. We need to tune out the scare tactics and outdated talking points of industry opponents and support recycling reform for Rhode Island. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
11-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Industry leaders push for a seismic change in state's recycling rules: 'Something needs to change drastically'
A coalition of industry leaders is advocating for the passing of a Rhode Island bill that would make recycling more streamlined in the state. The Coalition for High Performance Recycling is comprised of several high-profile organizations throughout the United States. The coalition includes the Association of Plastic Recyclers, Can Manufacturers Institute, and Clean Water Action. Together, CHPR has voiced its overwhelming support for House Bill 6207 in Rhode Island, which was introduced by Representative Carol Hagan McEntee on April 9, 2025. The bill would move to hold producers of packaging and paper responsible for the costs of recycling and the overall management of materials by offering consumers a refund to return empty beverage containers. It would also look to provide more oversight on single-use container producers. In a press release announcing the introduction of the bill, Representative McEntee stressed the motivation behind it. "The simple truth is that our recycling system is broken and plastic waste is filling up our landfill to capacity and dirtying our streets and neighborhoods," McEntee said. McEntee noted that Rhode Island has "a measly 26%" recycling rate and that "something needs to change drastically" to clean up the state and protect the environment. According to a Ball report, Rhode Island recycles just 16% of all its plastic waste. "This waste hurts the well-being of our neighborhoods, our waterways and our open spaces," explained McEntee. "It also endangers individuals and wildlife with continuous exposure to microplastics and other contaminants." In an op-ed published in The Boston Globe, several members of CHPR offered up their insight regarding the bill, pointing to the current state of recycling in Rhode Island. "As representatives of the business and environmental sectors, we have come together to urge the Legislature to take bold action to greatly improve the state's recycling results," the group wrote. What confuses you most about recycling protocol? Which materials I can recycle How clean the material needs to be What the plastic numbers mean Nothing at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. As of early May, the legislation was a partisan effort in the state, with nine other Democrats co-sponsoring the bill alongside Representative McEntee. According to members of the coalition, bottle bills not only hold producers more accountable, but they also encourage more innovation. "Rhode Island and New Hampshire are the only states in New England without a bottle bill," they wrote. "The rest of the region produces higher quality material that is more capable of being recycled and used for new packaging." Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
08-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Polls show divide over RI bottle bill ahead of Senate hearing
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — Rhode Island lawmakers are set to consider a proposed 'bottle bill' Wednesday night that, if passed, would impose a 10-cent deposit on all recyclable beverage containers. The Senate Committee on Environment and Agriculture is prepared to discuss the potential impacts of the legislation, which has stirred controversy on both sides of the aisle. Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, D-Narragansett, introduced the bottle bill in early April to incentivize recycling and address what she called a broken system. Hagan McEntee said Rhode Island's 'status quo is not working,' adding that the new policy, if implemented, would help clean up the state, protect the environment and save 'significant taxpayer dollars.' READ: RI cities and towns work to combat financial strain of improper recycling Many empty PET bottle in recycle bin in kitchen. - stock photo Under the proposal, consumers would pay a 10-cent deposit on each bottled or canned beverage, which could be refunded when the empty container is returned to a designated redemption center. McEntee said the bill would also shift the cost of recycling from municipalities to manufacturers, encouraging them to design more sustainable packaging. A February poll commissioned by Save The Bay showed a majority of Rhode Island voters support the bill. Environmental groups like Clean Water Action Rhode Island believe it is a long-overdue step toward reducing litter and protecting natural resources. However, a separate survey conducted by an advocacy coalition representing food and beverage businesses found quite the opposite, showing that 60% of those polled oppose the legislation. The bill has drawn significant opposition from a coalition of businesses, distributors, and workers who've organized under the banner 'Stop The Rhode Island Bottle Tax.' RELATED: Businesses, workers push back against proposed 'bottle bill' Full frame close up plastic bottles wrapped in recycling bag - stock photo The group argues the measure 'amounts to a new tax that would raise costs significantly on hundreds of everyday beverages.' It also claims the timing couldn't be worse, with many Rhode Islanders already struggling to keep up with the increasing costs of food, housing and utilities. Nicholas Fede Jr., executive director of the RI Liquor Operators Collaborative, warned that even a small deposit could add up for consumers. 'You'll see 30-packs of beer go up $3 on the shelf, 24-packs of water at the grocery store going up two dollars and forty cents on the shelf,' Fede Jr. explained. He stressed that lawmakers should prioritize lowering costs, not new legislation to raise them. 'A retailer's costs are going to go up from labor, from infrastructure. It's going to be tens of thousands of dollars extra on a retailer per year … right now, being a small business owner in Rhode Island, it's very difficult as is,' he added. 'This is just another cost that we can't bear.' MORE: Distributors warn of financial impact as RI considers 'bottle bill' Download the WPRI 12 and Pinpoint Weather 12 apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch 12 News Now on or with the new 12+ smart TV app. Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Daily Roundup Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Businesses, workers push back against proposed ‘bottle bill'
PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WPRI) — A newly formed advocacy coalition is pushing back against a proposal that would establish a bottle deposit return system, warning that it will raise prices and place unnecessary burdens on Rhode Island families and businesses. The 'Stop The Rhode Island Bottle Tax' coalition, which is made up of small retailers, liquor stores, labor unions and beverage distributors, argues that the proposal 'amounts to a new tax that would raise costs significantly on hundreds of everyday beverages.' The coalition claims the timing of the legislation — described as a so-called 'bottle bill' — is also especially difficult as many Rhode Islanders struggle with the rising costs of food, housing and utilities. RELATED: RI lawmakers push for 'bottle bill' to combat recycling 'status quo' The legislation would impose a 10-cent deposit on the purchase of each bottled or canned beverage, which would then be refunded if the buyer opts to return the emptied container to a designated redemption center. The proposal, introduced by Rep. Carol Hagan McEntee, is based on recommendations from the Plastic Bottle Waste Commission and aims to boost recycling rates by offering a financial incentive. Hagan McEntee called Rhode Island's current recycling system 'broken' and hopes her legislation will reduce the amount of plastic waste that's being diverted to the Johnston landfill. 'Something needs to change drastically, and after months of intensive commission meetings, we believe this piece of legislation is what Rhode Island needs to clean up our state and protect our precious environment – all while saving the taxpayers significant dollars,' Hagan McEntee said. But the coalition argues that similar programs in other states have added 'unnecessary burdens on residents.' Under the proposal, a 24-pack of water bottles would increase by $2.40, and a 12-pack of sports drinks by $1.20, according to the coalition. Dan Le, a small business owner in Providence, said he can't afford the added costs that a bottle bill would bring — and neither can his customers. MORE: RI cities, towns work to combat financial strain of improper recycling 'Small retailers face enough challenges already, and the last thing we need is to pay more for a major product in our business,' Le said. 'If we're serious about improving recycling rates in Rhode Island, lawmakers should be working with the public and private sectors to better educate people about curbside recycling, not pass a bad bill that will burden Rhode Islanders and local businesses across our state.' The legislation would also disproportionately impact low-income residents, seniors and busy families who may not have access to the transportation needed to return containers, the coalition added. The coalition said the state's existing recycling system is 'effective and efficient,' as well as convenient for residents. The advocates did express support for the creation of an extended producer responsibility (EPR) policy, which would shift recycling costs to manufacturers and encourage them to use more sustainable packaging. 'It is important that we improve recycling and protect our environment. However, there is a better way to do that without raising costs on working families and local small businesses,' the coalition said. NEXT: What you should (and shouldn't) toss into your recycling bin Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
